Aretha Franklin reportedly wants to judge 'American Idol' with Patti LaBelle

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Now that Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler have officially announced that they will not be returning to judge Fox’s American Idol next season, producers are scrambling to find big name replacements.

This weekend, Aretha Franklin reportedly emailed CNN volunteering to be a judge on the upcoming season of Idol, but she has one major request — she wants Patti LaBelle by her side.

The 70-year-old songstress said she’s a longtime fan of the show, and over the past 11 seasons has watched countless contestants perform her songs, including season 1 winner, Kelly Clarkson and her rendition of “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”

The New York Daily News reports that a friend of Franklin says “She would love that gig. It pays millions of dollars and she could stay put [in one place] for a few months to do it.”

Over the past few days several names have surfaced as possible replacement judges on Idol including Nicki Minaj, Miley Cyrus, Adam Lambert, Mary J. Blige and Mariah Carey.

But Franklin and Labelle are by far the most accomplished talents being mentioned as possible judges. Do you think the duo could bring a little R-E-S-P-E-C-T back to American Idol?

Follow Chris Witherspoon on Twitter at @WitherspoonC